Mammals of Dudhwa National Park – Tigers, Rhinos, Elephants & More in the Terai Wilderness
Discover over 38 species of mammals in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve — from the iconic Royal Bengal Tiger and endangered Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros, to elephants, leopards, sloth bears, and unique grassland specialists.
Mammals of Dudhwa National Park
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, the heart of the Terai ecosystem, shelters more than 38 species of mammals, making it one of India’s richest wildlife destinations. From the iconic Royal Bengal Tiger to the endangered Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros, and from herds of Asiatic Elephants to the elusive Sloth Bear, Dudhwa is a living museum of biodiversity.
The park’s dense sal forests, swampy grasslands, and fertile wetlands provide the perfect stage for this mammalian diversity. Unlike many Indian reserves that highlight only a handful of species, Dudhwa offers a complete mammal community — apex predators, grazers, insect-eaters, and wetland specialists, all thriving together.
For safari-goers, it means unforgettable experiences: hearing the alarm call of a sambar, spotting rhinos grazing in tall grasses, or watching tigers emerge from the forest edge.
Royal Bengal Tiger – The Apex Predator
The Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is the undisputed king of Dudhwa and remains its most iconic predator. According to the 2022 All India Tiger Estimation Report (MoEFCC), Dudhwa Tiger Reserve supports over 110 tigers, making it one of the most important tiger landscapes of North India.
Tigers here roam across sal forests, tall elephant grasses, and swampy wetlands, which provide abundant prey such as spotted deer, sambar, hog deer, and swamp deer. Unlike in other reserves where tiger density leads to frequent tourist pressure, Dudhwa offers a more secluded and raw tiger-watching experience, with sightings often rewarded to those who patiently wait near forest edges and grassland clearings.
Visitors frequently encounter tigers on jeep safaris, especially in the Dudhwa and Kishanpur ranges, where dense sal forests suddenly open up into grasslands — prime hunting grounds for big cats.
Dudhwa was also among the first tiger reserves in India to achieve CA|TS accreditation (Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards) in 2021, confirming that its management meets global best practices for tiger conservation.
IUCN Status: Endangered
Protection: Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros – A Conservation Triumph
The Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) stands as one of Dudhwa’s greatest conservation success stories. Reintroduced in 1984–85 from Assam, the rhino population has steadily grown despite being close to extinction in Uttar Pradesh.
Today, Dudhwa is home to around 46 one-horned rhinos (2023 census, U.P. Forest Dept.), mainly confined to the Rhino Rehabilitation Areas (RRA-1 & RRA-2). In 2025, two additional areas (RRA-3 & RRA-4) were approved to further expand their habitat, ensuring a safer genetic pool and long-term survival.
Rhinos in Dudhwa can be seen in marshes, swampy grasslands, and riverine areas, often grazing alongside elephants and deer. Their sightings are most popular during elephant-back safaris, giving tourists a rare chance to witness this prehistoric-looking giant in its natural setting.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Protection: Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Rhinos prefer marshes, grasslands, and riverine areas, where they graze on tall elephant grass. They are most commonly seen on elephant-back safaris in Dudhwa zone. Their recovery is one of India’s biggest conservation success stories after their near-extinction in Uttar Pradesh.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Protection: Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Asiatic Elephant – The Gentle Giant
The Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is another star of Dudhwa’s landscape. Known for their social behavior, elephants here often move in herds led by matriarchs, traversing rivers and grasslands.
They are most commonly seen in the Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and parts of Dudhwa, where seasonal migrations connect them with Nepal’s Terai forests. Their ecological role is vital — elephants disperse seeds, create forest clearings, and maintain the balance of grasslands.
For visitors, the sight of elephants bathing in rivers or moving in single-file lines through sal forests is among the most unforgettable safari experiences in India.
IUCN Status: Endangered
Protection: Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Sloth Bear – The Shaggy Insect-Eater
The Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) is one of Dudhwa’s most unique mammals. Recognizable by their long snouts, shaggy coats, and distinct V-shaped white chest patch, sloth bears are primarily nocturnal and feed mainly on termites, honey, and fruits like mahua.
Mothers are often spotted carrying cubs on their backs — a rare behavior in the bear family. While usually shy, they can be defensive when threatened, leaving behind signs like dug-up termite mounds and scratch marks on trees that keen-eyed visitors can identify.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Protection: Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Other Notable Mammals of Dudhwa
Beyond the iconic big mammals, Dudhwa supports a remarkable diversity of smaller but equally vital species:
Leopard (Panthera pardus) – elusive, commonly sighted in Kishanpur range.
Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) – abundant in grasslands, key prey base for tigers.
Indian Jackal (Canis aureus indicus) – often seen near forest edges and villages.
Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) – thrives in wetlands, indicator of a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus) – a rare and endangered grassland specialist.
Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) – nocturnal, highly threatened due to poaching.
Langurs & Macaques – common primates, easily spotted across safari routes.
Each of these species contributes to maintaining ecological balance, from controlling prey populations to sustaining wetland and forest health.
Quick Facts – Mammals of Dudhwa National Park
| Species | Scientific Name | IUCN Status | Protection (India) | Population / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Bengal Tiger | Panthera tigris tigris | Endangered | Schedule I | ~110 (2022 census) |
| Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros | Rhinoceros unicornis | Vulnerable | Schedule I | 46 (2023 census) |
| Asiatic Elephant | Elephas maximus | Endangered | Schedule I | Herds in Katerniaghat, seasonal movement |
| Sloth Bear | Melursus ursinus | Vulnerable | Schedule I | Nocturnal, rare sightings |
| Leopard | Panthera pardus | Vulnerable | Schedule I | Often seen in Kishanpur |
| Hispid Hare | Caprolagus hispidus | Endangered | Schedule I | Grassland specialist |
| Fishing Cat | Prionailurus viverrinus | Vulnerable | Schedule I | Wetland predator, indicator species |
| Indian Pangolin | Manis crassicaudata | Endangered | Schedule I | Rare, threatened by poaching |
FAQs – Mammals of Dudhwa
Dudhwa is home to 38+ species of mammals, including predators like tigers and leopards, grazers like swamp deer and rhinos, and unique grassland specialists like the Hispid Hare.
The 2022 All India Tiger Estimation Report recorded around 110 Royal Bengal Tigers in Dudhwa, spread across Dudhwa, Kishanpur, and Katarniaghat ranges.
Yes. The Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros was reintroduced in 1984–85 from Assam, and today the population has grown to about 46 individuals (2023 census, UP Forest Dept.).
Dudhwa is one of the few places in India where tigers, elephants, rhinos, and swamp deer coexist naturally. Rare species like the Hispid Hare, Fishing Cat, and Indian Pangolin make it even more special.
The Hispid Hare, an endangered grassland specialist, is considered one of the rarest mammals in Dudhwa. The park is also a key habitat for the Bengal Florican (bird) and the Gangetic Dolphin in river stretches.
Yes. Leopards are present throughout the reserve but are most commonly sighted in the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary range, where the terrain is ideal for them.
Both parks are important, but Dudhwa is unique because it is the only reserve in North India where rhinos, swamp deer, tigers, and elephants can all be seen together. Corbett is known for tiger density, but Dudhwa offers rarer and more diverse species.
Dudhwa has the largest swamp deer (barasingha) population in the world, with more than 2,000 individuals, making it a global conservation success.
Yes. Asiatic Elephants are often seen in Katarniaghat and riverine grasslands of Dudhwa. They move in herds and are most visible in summer near water sources.
Apart from large mammals, Dudhwa shelters jackals, wild boars, macaques, langurs, civets, and porcupines. Nocturnal safaris near buffer areas sometimes reveal pangolins and small cats.
Dudhwa is part of the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL), a critical corridor connecting India and Nepal for elephants and tigers. It has also been recognized with CA|TS accreditation (2021) for tiger conservation standards.
The park is open from 15 November to 15 June. For general wildlife, Nov–Feb offers pleasant safaris, while Mar–May increases chances of spotting tigers and rhinos near waterholes.